Molloy hat-trick eases Pat's into FAI Cup semis

St. Patrick’s Athletic 4 Longford Town 1

Trevor Molloy scored a hat-trick as St. Patrick’s put their troubles behind them to breeze into the FAI Carlsberg Cup semi-finals as they beat bogey side Longford who finished with nine men.

Molloy, who hadn't scored in three months, gave Saints the perfect start with a stunning goal, curling home a shot from 20 yards, after just three minutes.

Danny O’Connor then took down Anto Murphy in full flight to concede a 27th minute penalty. The Longford central defender was sent off and Michael Foley sent Mick Dempsey the wrong way from the spot.

Molloy killed off 10-man Longford on 61 minutes when turning home a cross after Mark Rutherford skipped all too easily past Dean Fitzgerald down the left.

Alan Kirby threaded a pass through for Robbie Martin to pull a goal back for Longford eight minutes later.

But Molloy completed his trio from a 79th minute penalty before Town had Davy Byrne sent off nine minutes from time for a challenge on Murphy.